The Roles of Astrocytes in the Pathogenesis of Alzheimer’s Disease

AD (Alzheimer’s disease) is the most common neurodegenerative disease that causes memory decline, cognitive dysfunction and behavior disorders in the aged people. Current evidences have shown that astrocytes play an important role in the development of AD. Under the pathological conditions of AD, astrocytes have both protective and damaging effects on the nervous system. On one hand, astrocytes serve as protectors of the nerves system by ingesting and expulsing the abnormal substances and by producing neurotrophic factors. While, on the other hand, astrocytes can directly or indirectly impact the other brain cells by releasing pro-inflammatory cytokines and toxic substances. In this process, the astrocytes enhance the inflammatory cascade reaction and Aβ accumulation, which exacerbates the pathological process of AD. This article summarizes the effects of astrocytes on other brain cells in AD, hoping to provide a new strategy that targets astrocytes in the prevention and treatment of AD.